Adam Adie has got his hands on a side panel from a rally car once driven by Scottish motorsport legend Colin McRae

A kind-hearted business boss is hoping to boost a charity’s coffers by auctioning off a piece of motorsport history.

Adam Adie has got his hands on a side panel from a rally car once driven by Scottish motorsport legend Colin McRae.

And the unique memorabilia is now up for grabs to the highest bidder, with the proceeds being donated to a charity set up by eight-year-old schoolgirl Lauren Cosgrove.

Brave Lauren, who is a pupil at St John’s Primary, in Barrhead, lives with a condition called short gut syndrome and has to carry heavy medical equipment with her in a backpack at all times.

She also has to have a Hickman line inserted into her body to get the nutrients she needs.

Together with her family, she has launched Lauren’s Lifelines to help other people who are in a similar position pay for equipment and adaptation costs.

Around £8,000 has already been raised, with the rally car panel set to swell the cashpot even more.

It is sure to be of interest to motorsport fans – particularly those who followed the career of McRae, who was the 1995 World Rally Champion.

Tragically, he died in a helicopter accident in September 2007, which also claimed the lives of his son Johnny and two family friends.

Adam, who runs Premium Vinyl Signs at Barrhead Auto Care, said: “I am a friend of the McRae family and bought the panel as part of a package.

“I have put the panel up on display in the shop and it has attracted a lot of interest.

“Now I am auctioning it through Facebook for Lauren.”

Adam’s business, in Cross Arthurlie Street, makes vinyl signs for vans and cars and he has used his equipment to make free T-shirts, lanyards, stickers and banners for Lauren’s Lifelines.

His own van has the charity’s livery on it and he has pledged to continue supporting Lauren’s efforts.

Adam’s partner Susan Galloway and work colleague Martin Ganly recently tackled Lauren’s challenge for adults to walk in her shoes for 24 hours.

They carted the equivalent weight of her medical equipment about in backpacks for a day while they were working and getting on with their usual routine.

Around £200 was raised in the process.

Laura Paterson, who is Lauren’s mum, said: “Adam and his team have done really well and their support is much appreciated.

“They even wore the backpacks and collected cash from customers when they were going out to price jobs.”

With backing from the Yorkhill Children’s Charity, Lauren’s Lifelines also aims to raise cash to fund family days out and eventually buy a place called Lauren’s Lodge, which will offer holidays and respite.

Adam added: “Raising the profile of Lauren’s charity is the most important thing.

“How Lauren copes with her condition, I will never know. What she does is very admirable and she has definitely touched our hearts.”

● To make a donation to Lauren’s Lifelines, visit the Virgin moneygiving page at http://goo.gl/SW7wYE

You can make a bid for the McRae car panel on Adam’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/premiumvinylsigns